Professor Hämeen-Anttila, renowned scholar of classical Arabic and Persian literature, culture, and historiography has passed away peacefully after a short and sudden illness on 18 December 2023.
The department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, in which Professor Hämeen-Anttila was extremely well respected as well as in his homeland, Finland, and the international community, have expressed deep sadness at the passing of a bright mind, who leaves an “indelible mark as a scholar.”
Professor Hämeen-Anttila has published numerous works in Finnish, including a translation of the Qur’an.
In English he has published prolifically, including: ‘The Last Pagans of Iraq: Ibn Waḥshiyya and His Nabatean Agriculture,’ ‘Al-Maqrīzī’s al-Ḫabar ʿan al-Bašar, Vol. V, Section 4: Persia and Its Kings,’ ‘Khwadāynāmag: The Middle Persian Book of Kings,’ and ‘Portrait of an Eighth-Century Gentleman: Khālid Ibn Ṣafwān in History and Literature.’
Professor Hämeen-Anttila’s colleague, Doctor Ines Aščerić-Todd, Head of Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies told The Student:
“We are devastated to report the death on 18 December 2023 after a short and sudden illness of Professor Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila, who has been a cherished member of the Department of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, where he held the post of Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies since 2016.
“Professor Hämeen-Anttila was a renowned scholar of classical Arabic and Persian literature, culture and historiography, and was widely admired for his immense scholarly range and output in his homeland of Finland, in the UK, Europe and the world.
“Professor Hämeen-Anttila leaves an indelible mark as a scholar and his absence is deeply felt among his colleagues and his many students, all of whom have found him consistently supportive, generous with his knowledge and time, and inspiring both in his work and personal demeanour.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss, expressing profound sorrow, as we remember and honour his contribution and legacy.”
Professor Nacim Pak-Shiraz, friend and colleague of Professor Hämeen-Anttila also stated that:
“Jaakko’s passing is an immense loss for us, not only as colleagues but also for the university and the broader academic community.
“He was not just an erudite and highly accomplished scholar; he was also a kind and generous individual, always ready to lend a helping hand.
“He had a deep appreciation for books, his family, and took quiet pride in their accomplishments.
“He frequently shared anecdotes about his travels with his son, both within Scotland and beyond, his love for Italian wine and food, and his re-readings of the entire Shahnameh for the nth time. He will be deeply and sorely missed.”
Paasikivi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.